Those planning to beat Deputy President William Ruto in the 2022 political game plan must brave for a dueling political showdown.
Ruto, it appears, is not just any other Tom, Harry and Dick to shove away in the race for president come 2022.
The vocal leader showed his influence when he was accompanied by more than 40 Members of Parliament, two governors, a senator and several MCAs from Mt Kenya region to a trip in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
The trip came amid high voltage politics within the Jubilee party where an interim vice chair resigned and vowed to go to the apex court to stop Ruto (the party deputy leader) from vying for the presidency in 2022.
The ex-party leader, David Murathe, also dismissed an alleged MoU between the DP and President Uhuru Kenyatta where the latter would back Ruto for the top seat as he retires.
Murathe has been vocal that the Mt Kenya region will not back Ruto.
The Naivasha trip, however, could be an indication that the DP is still a popular choice among the region’s leaders as well as residents.
When he arrived in Naivasha, chants of Ruto rent the air.
“Ruto! Ruto! You fought for us in 2017. We cannot forget you brother,” a resident shouted.
While addressing the residents, the DP was met with responses of ‘twihamwe’ (we are together).
While speaking at Joy celebration church in the town, the DP said Jubilee party is firm under President Kenyatta’s leadership.
“I ask those interfering with the affairs of the party to keep off. As a matter of fact, there is no contest in Jubilee. There is only one leader in Jubilee. Any other person outside that framework is a liar,” said Ruto.
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